Buy used SOCOM 4, pay for MP extras

US gamers who pick up a pre-owned copy of forthcoming PlayStation 3 shooter SOCOM 4 will have to pay an extra fee to access all of the game's multiplayer content, developer Zipper Interactive has revealed.

As detailed on the US PlayStation Blog, all new copies of the title will come with a code allowing access to "SOCOM Pro".

Primarily, this means you'll be able to enter Pro Custom Game queues.

"Not only will these queues be ranked, but they'll also be updated regularly over the entire lifespan of SOCOM 4 – so it'll be the gift that keeps on giving for quite some time," explained community manager Jeremy Dunham.

"Moreover, the first set of Pro Custom Game types will be the same fantastic rule sets that our diligent fans tested during our SOCOM 4 beta period."

On top of that, you'll also get two exclusive weapons: the AK-47 for the Insurgents, and the M-16 for the Spec Ops, with more content coming soon.

"These additions are just the beginning – we have plenty more planned for SOCOM Pro down the road including access to exclusive multiplayer maps, various co-op additions, dedicated leaderboards, and lots more," added Dunham.

If you buy a used copy of the game you'll have to spend $14.99 in the PlayStation Store to access this content. It will be available one week after the game's 19th April US launch date.

Publisher Sony hasn't confirmed whether the scheme will make the trip over to Europe following its release here on Friday. We've asked for clarification and will update when we get an answer.

Sony isn't the first publisher to start charging pre-owned purchasers for multiplayer content. EA's 'Project $10' scheme, launched early last year, pioneered the trend for including access codes in new copies of games.